33 Arrested on Illegal Immigrant Charges
1st day of Arpaio's crime sweep a busy one

Updated: Friday, 28 Jan 2011, 8:05 AM MST
Published : Friday, 28 Jan 2011, 6:14 AM MST

The Maricopa County Sheriff's Office has made 41 arrests in the first day of its 2-day crime suppression and illegal immigration sweep in the valley on Thursday.

Sgt. Jesse Spurgin said 33 suspected illegal immigrants were arrested on human smuggling charges, failure to provide ID and transporting marijuana.

Eight others were arrested for drug possession, open warrants and driving on a suspended license, Spurgin said.

Spurgin said three load vehicles were stopped.

For the last few days, deputies and posse members have conducted a large scale undercover surveillance and intelligence gathering operation on drop house activity, drug activity and human smuggling routes.

Before Thursday, they arrested 56 people -- including one person who has been deported 17 times previously. More than 400 pounds of marijuana had also been seized.

This is the 18th operation of this kind, and the newly-formed "Illegal Immigration Enforcement Posse" is making its debut.

Actor/Writer/Producer Steven Seagal was one of several celebrities who is on the sheriff's new immigration posse. He showed up in camouflage garb ready to help find human smugglers.

“It’s a big problem, and I'm just trying to show this problem isn't going away. The weather is nice, and I would predict you would see more people coming here because they don't have to deal with the hot weather in the summertime,â€